Abnormal stool sample - referred for camera test. Anyone had these symptoms and it NOT be something sinister?

[marlpops]

Apologies if any of this is TMI, hopefully the title gives you an idea of what this post is about so please don't read if squeamish

So DH is relatively healthy, 42 years old, higher end of a normal BMI but has a good diet, gets enough exercise, drinks plenty of fluids.

About 3 weeks ago he started with diarrhoea. When it was no better a week later he got in touch with his GP who ordered a stool test to see if he had a bug and everything came back negative. While he was waiting for these results he started bleeding every time he went to the bathroom. His stools are now a mixture of diarrhoea and really solid poo that he struggles to pass along with drops of blood. His symptoms are getting a little worse every day.

So last week his GP ordered another stool test along with some bloods. The bloods came back fine besides being slightly low on vitamin D and he was negative for coeliacs disease. The stool test however came back "abnormal" (this is the only info we were given on that) and they have referred DH for a camera test in 2-3 weeks to rule out any gastro diseases or cancerous growths and told him he needs to get more fibre.

I will admit I am a worrier and I'm trying very hard not to jump to any conclusions but we are both quite anxious as the C word was mentioned!

So has anybody had an experience similar to this? And if you don't mind sharing, can I ask what the outcome was?

Thank you x

[Torvean32]

Could be many things. If it's fresh red blood just after he moved his bpwels it could be a fissure.

When stool is mixed with blood its likely to be Crohns or ulcerative colitis. Though there are cases where its diverticulitis and IBS.

Have a look here

www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/about-crohns-and-colitis/publications/crohns-disease

[Dickensnovel]

In my experience, this means ulcerative colitis or a fissure. Both can be treated, and are not "sinister"

[marlpops]

Thank you both

Yes the blood is bright red and as luck would have it there was no blood yesterday but the loose and hard movements are still there. It's like he has constipation and diarrhoea at the same time and this can actually change whilst he's still on the loo. Again sorry if this is TMI

Is this common with ulcerative colitis? We did assume a fissure but as far as I know a fissure wouldn't return an abnormal stool test result :(

Thanks

[TheProvincialLady]

Yes my husband had almost exactly the same and the investigations revealed nothing abnormal apart from piles. The diarrhoea suddenly stopped and he ha had no issues since. No idea what it was but it could have been an infection that resolved itself.

[marlpops]

@TheProvincialLady

Yes my husband had almost exactly the same and the investigations revealed nothing abnormal apart from piles. The diarrhoea suddenly stopped and he ha had no issues since. No idea what it was but it could have been an infection that resolved itself.

This is a relief, glad your husband was OK!
If you don't mind me asking was he also tested for colitis, IBD, cancerous growths etc?

[TheProvincialLady]

Yes he was tested for all of that. He had a raised something-or-other level in his poo which got worse with every test, so they did blood tests and a camera. It was a very worrying time but the camera test was not painful and it was a great relief to get the results on the same day. He has been fine ever since. I hope the same is true for your husband 🙂

[CharlotteRose90]

Hi I had this about 5 years an abnormal blood and stool test. Then had a flexi sigmoidoscopy camera test and biopsy’s taken. Got the results about a week later which showed I have ulcerative colitis. It’s not a hard condition to manage in my case. I take medication every day but I’ve been pain and symptom free for 3 years now.

[marlpops]

Thanks for your replies, really happy you've been able to get it under control @CharlotteRose90 3 years pain free is great!

So DH has a phone consultation on 2nd of December but his symptoms aren't getting any better. I know in non-covid times he would probably have a face to face appointment where they'd do some investigations too so I'm wondering if they will book him in for some tests after speaking to him. the wait is making me very anxious

[marlpops]

Just updating in case anyone reads this in future after experiencing similar

We have a diagnosis! Ulcerative colitis

Thanking our lucky stars it's nothing more serious. Thank you for all your replies xx